Which point and shoot

[dylan77]

I am looking at getting a point-and-shoot to take on everyday travels, And are looking for any recommendations on 35 mm, which also have sharp lenses.

There is a lot of marketing around the contax t2, Yashica T-4 and Olympic stylus, So if you were looking for something else apart from these what would you recommend?

 

[awty]

Seeing how you already have Nikon SLR's a Nikon f55 and a 50mm or 35mm auto focus lens.Light and compact, sharp as they come and very versatile. I just have a small wrist strap.......and cheap I have 2 bought for under $20. Batteries last for about 15 rolls.

But my favorite is an Olympus trip 35, very small and compact, works by magic, so no batteries required. Not quite as sharp as a Nikkor prime, but sharp enough for 8x10 prints.....or 20x24 prints if your not overly concerned with sharpness and have a big enough enlarger .

 

[dylan77]

Yes the nikon I will use primarily for shoots only, where as the point and shoot is something i will carry on me day to day.

 

[BobD]

The Yashica T-series are good but they've gotten very pricey. Personally, I prefer the first generation P&S models such as the Nikon L35AF. Very good lens and filter threads too.

 

[abruzzi]

Its not quite a point and shoot, but I'd recommend an Olympus XA--35mm ƒ2.8 lens, rangefinder focusing (though its pretty easy to just zone focus), aperture priority exposure, and tiny, tiny, tiny.

 

[markjwyatt]

I have a Konica Big Mini HG. Not sure it is any better than the others, but it is compact, has a nice lens, and takes nice pictures.

 

[darkosaric]

Contax TVS - expensive (not as T2/T3), but awesome.

 

[macfred]

Olympus XA - small; relatively cheap; dedicated flash; sharp Zuiko lens; rangefinder; aperture prority.
http://www.diaxa.com/xa.htm

Portfolio - EUROPE. 1979. Train Journey Through France by Erich Hartmann (he uses his XA for the trip) :
https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K7O3R1VUF5N

 

[Chan Tran]

I guess you meant small camera not point and shoot! Like the other post I would recommend the Olympus XA.
If you truly looking for Point and Shoot then the brand new Nikon F6 would do great.

 

[darkosaric]

I guess you meant small camera not point and shoot! Like the other post I would recommend the Olympus XA.
If you truly looking for Point and Shoot then the brand new Nikon F6 would do great.

We had this "what is point and shoot" already recently in another thread, that there are cameras that can act as point and shoot, but they are not point and shoot...not to open this again.

OP stated point-and-shoot to take on everyday travels, --> I don't see Nikon F6 as a camera for everyday travel, even with 50mm it is pretty big and heavy.

About XA: I would also recommend XA2, cheaper, equally fun, even easier to use.

 

[guangong]

The Olympus XA would be my choice. No experience with later models. I also use Contax T3, bought new when first on market, but I would not recommend buying used since I understand that repairs are not possible and they cost too much. Other than automatic focusing, the only advantage that T3 has is ability to use filters...but such accessories are hard to come by.
Not a p&s, but much more robust would be a Rollei 35.
For a camera that is ALWAYS with me: Minox 8x11 or Minolta 16.
So many choices! All depends on what you want to do with camera. Sometimes, for me, a Nikon F with pancake lens fits comfortably in jacket pocket.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

XA is not point and shoot, it is the rangefinder camera. Nikon F is next to one kilo brick.

EOS300 with modern 40 2.8 pancake isn't big, plastic and works as P&S with green box mode.

Also, any working point and shoot with AF is good for every day. They are all sharp enough. All of those sharpens talks are just to justify overpriced cameras.
I used several not expensive P&S. Even two zone AF simple prime is good. And so are zooms. Expensive ones have no advantage, in the opposite they brake sooner.

 

[Ariston]

The first Olympus Stylus (not the mju ii) is just as good as it’s pricey brother, in my mind. I’ve owned both.

 

[darkosaric]

any working point and shoot with AF is good for every day. They are all sharp enough.

True. The question is only does OP wants to have some kind of manual override option from program mode, or not (that costs more).

Pentax Espio 38-200 zoom, paid 5€:

 

[Cholentpot]

XA2.

Honestly though, get a disposable Kodak. Learn to reload it. The difference between a $1k pocket camera and a disposable is really not as large as you'd think. If you're printing 4x6 you'd never see the difference.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have about 20 or so 35mm point and shoots, all are entry level, given their limitations they work really well as long as you dont expect too much from them. For travel I take a Pentax Weather Resistance IQ Zoom, use fast film. If you want something with a faster lens, first generation point and shoot with 35 to 38mm 2.8 prime lens. Other than fast lens what I like is that most of these first generations P&S are not DX coded so you fuss with the exposure by changing the ISO and the meter is close to the lens allowing for use of filters. I also like the Konica Off Road with a 28mm prime lens, the Konica Big Mini with 28 to 70 zoom. Only draw back that they are larger than say a Pentax IQ or Canon Sure Shot, almost to the point that in terms of features and interchangeable lens compact 35mm SLR AF is a better choice. On the other hand, P&S are so cheap you can take 2, keep one in your luggage as a spare.

 

[jtk]

Leica 2f.

 

[rjbuzzclick]

The Pentax PC35 AF might be a nice option. It has a 35mm f/2.8 lens, fairly short shutter lag, a +1.5 exposure button, and the flash only fires when you manually activate it by popping it up. The first version has a (quiet) manual wind and manual film speed setting, though that tops out at 400.

However, the camera has a tone that will sound at low light/slower shutter speeds that is continuous and very annoying. It was fairly easy to take the top cover off and snip one of the wires to silence it. Here's how to do it (not my page):

https://www.35mmc.com/22/04/2014/modification-pentax-pc35af-beeping/

That being said, I've only used mine a couple of times. The Olympus XA or Rollei 35 are my first choices for a pocket camera, although neither is technically a 'point-and-shoot'.

 

[awty]

Also keep in mind electronic wind cameras a really noisy, even the quiet ones. Some wont rewind till after you lift the shutter button, which is a good feature. Personally I prefer manual wind, zone focus and leaf shutter..... no noise.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

True. The question is only does OP wants to have some kind of manual override option from program mode, or not (that costs more).

Pentax Espio 38-200 zoom, paid 5€:

View attachment 237405 [/QUOTE

Awesome!

Yes, despite all of the forum threads and reviews here is still common belief in miracles of working advanced P&S at 2020.

 

[darkosaric]

Awesome!

Yes, despite all of the forum threads and reviews here is still common belief in miracles of working advanced P&S at 2020.

Thanks .
I have found Contax T2 on flea market for 20€, and soon sold it for 600€. Simply it is not worth it. I did got relatively expensive Contax TVS zoom from profit (cost 200€), that has manual override, but actually he is also overpriced, and I droped it, and now it is half broken (works from 35mm, not from 28mm zoom opening).

 

[pukalo]

For a pocketable camera there really is no substitute for the Olympus Stylus Epic. Fast to deploy, fast to focus, fast aperure, super sharp lens, light, andfits in your palm. Sadly though, the days of buying one new for $95 or used for $60 are long gone. However, all of the Olympus zoom point and shoots are also decent, some even very good such as the 100Wide and 140 DLX. Won't break the bank, worth a try.
XA, yes, awesome, reading these posts reminds keep I should get one again. Pocketable, decently sharp, fun to use.
Contax TVS , perhaps the best zoom compact ever made, I have done whole trips using only this camera, even though I brought along my SLR kit. I shouldn't say more or prices will skyrocket on this sleeper.
One other tip, try 1 roll of slide film, either Fuji Provia or Kodak E100, have the slides mounted after developing and pick up an old slide projector at a second hand market. Project them and you will experience something magical and totally unique. Be warned though, You may fall in love with slide film.
As long as the point and shoot has a built in meter, there should be no issue shooting slide. The ones you like can be scanned for prints or sharing on your phone.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

i have the Nikon 35 TI, seems to work fine.

 

[Russ - SVP]

Olympus Stylus.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Fujifilm Tiara or Mini zoom, I'd put it up there with the rest, best, most expensive, hyped up P&Ss ever made.

To be clear I have the DL Super Mini Zoom, same thing.